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Tested: The 7 Best Men’s Down Jackets

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All Photography: HICONSUMPTION

The human body was simply not made to survive in sub-freezing temperatures. Hell, it’s not even hearty enough to survive slightly chilly environments — not without some ingenuity. Thankfully, we’ve got big problem-solving brains that have allowed us to vastly transcend our natural habitats and colonize huge portions of even the most unforgiving lands. Albeit, chilly weather is less like a life-threatening monolith and much more like a slightly inconvenient hurdle. An inconvenience that can be overcome with good old-fashioned ingenuity.

Our ability to survive harsh temperatures is owed largely to our cleverness in the creation and refinement of apparel — outerwear, specifically. And down jackets might just be the king of the ring in that regard. These garments, basically since their inception, have boasted the ability to keep us incredibly warm, and they manage that while still being relatively lightweight and without interfering too much with our range of motion. However, as is always the case with gear, some down jackets are better than others. And the cream of the crop is gathered in the following guide on the best down jackets for men, which we were able to test out firsthand.

Best Down Jackets

How We Tested

Best Down Jackets Tested
Photo: HICONSUMPTION

These days, it seems like every clothing brand has a down jacket in their catalogs, which makes deciding which one to purchase all the more difficult. To help you figure out where to spend you hard-earned cash, we’ve tested a handful of down jackets from brands throughout the space. First, we created our shortlist of candidates after looking at aesthetic, materials, water-resistance, weight, and down type. From there, we procured our units for testing.

In order to properly see which down jackets deserved mention in our guide, we had to wear them ourselves –– a process that took quite some time but helped us land with a list of our favorites. Since each down jacket below did really well against cold temperatures, we also wanted to emphasize the “other” factors such as fit, style, feel, durability, and comfort. Our tester (Ethan Brehm) took each one of these out in the field to see how they held up against frigid winter temperatures. The results are detailed below.

What to Look For

Aesthetic: If we’re being honest, the difference in warmth for most of these down jackets will be relatively unnoticeable (save for a couple that are intended for arctic conditions). So if you’re picking your new down jacket, you may want to focus first on how it actually looks.

Fit: Not every jacket fits the same and not every person is shaped the same. Ultimately, what fits well for you will be different than someone else. However, accuracy to size is important. For instance, if you’re an XL, you want your jacket to fit like an XL.

Fill Power: Measured according to how many cubic inches of loft is produced per one ounce of down, “fill power” is a fairly loose indication of how effective your insulation is, although it allows you to get a relative idea of how warm the jacket is. This number will usually range from 600 to 850.

Down Type: Down can be either natural (from animals like geese), synthetic (typically polyester), or a hybrid of the two. Each type has its pros and cons, which we’ve detailed below our picks.

Shell: Most of the jackets you’ll find will feature some sort of polyester or nylon shell, which will benefit from their natural water-resistant properties as well as lightweight durability. However, there are some exceptions such as cotton or some other synthetic material.

Weight: The weight of your jacket will play a factor depending what you’re using it for. If you’re using your looking to go hiking in frigid weather, you might not want something that will add much extra weight to your trek. The same goes for traveling. However, if you’ll be enduring extra-low temperatures, a heavier jacket may be optimal.

Water-Resistance: Down, by nature, isn’t terribly water-resistant. As such, most of these jackets got soaked in the rain. However, if you’re wanting the benefit of down in a light drizzle, you’ll want a coat with some sort of water-resistant finishing. This will often be noted by “DWR,” which means “Durable Water-Repellant.”

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

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Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Deep pockets
  • Warm despite the low fill-power and price
Cons
  • It looks and feels like a $129 jacket
  • Puffy

Best Budget-Friendly Jacket: Down jackets can get quite pricey, especially if you want something that’s well-made and warm. The gear from REI Co-op’s house brand always winds up on our lists for their quality construction and fair prices. With several color options available as well, there’s an 850-fill option, but the 650 Down Jacket is lighter at 11oz without losing much protection in the process. Made from recycled nylon taffeta, the shell can also be packed down for easy winter travel and features zippered hand pockets in front.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

The lightest of any option on this list, the REI jacket is still incredibly lightweight, thanks to the nylon shell and relatively low fill power. I loved how deep the pockets were, which includes two pouches on the inside and the pair of zippered pockets on the waist. However, the zippers were a bit difficult to zip and unzip, even though the zipper down the front operated quite well. Also, it could have used an inside chest pocket. Luckily, none of these attributes affects the jacket’s warmth, which it provided in windy and frigid conditions. While it’s not waterproof, this coat will serve you well in the rain, as water beaded off the fabric. It’s also relatively packable in your suitcase, albeit you might expect it to pack even smaller considering its light weight.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

When lined up next to the other jackets I tested, this particular coat felt cheaper than the others. Nylon is a fantastic material for its durability and water resistance but the non-stated denier of the fabric implies that it’s probably rather low, and that’s apparent when you touch the shell. Likewise, the animal down and wide stitching aren’t flattering, whether zipped or unzipped, especially if you’re a bigger person. Not quite having the Michelin Man effect, this REI jacket is still rather puffy on the arms and body. Sporting a hoodless design, the collar can fold down but doesn’t stay down well, which is fine if you’re not planning on using it that way. The cuffs have no real elasticity; they don’t really clamp around your wrists well, which might get annoying.

Verdict: The lightest jacket on this list, REI’s 650 Down Jacket isn’t a bad pick at just $129, even if it seems at times like it’s only $129. Not the most flattering silhouette you’ll find, the coat is really warm nevertheless. Throw in some deep pockets and water-repellant coating and you have a fantastic budget down jacket.

Weight: 10.9oz
Shell: Recycled nylon taffeta
Fill Type: Animal Down
Fill Power: 650
DWR?: Yes
Hood?: No

Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie

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Pros
  • Stylish and slimming
  • Waterproof reinforcement on shoulders & hood
  • Lightweight yet warm
  • Great fit
  • Lots of pockets
Cons
  • Zippered pockets don’t zip up easily

Best Overall: Another mainstay in the world of hiking and camping, Outdoor Research’s Helium Down Hoodie is infused with responsibly-sourced 800-fill goose down, the 30d ripstop Pertex Quantum nylon shell is given Diamond Fuse tech to make it even more abrasion-resistant without adding unnecessary weight. One of the few down jackets that you could reasonably wear during the rainy season as well, the Helium is constructed with the waterproof Pertex Shield on high-impact points like the shoulders and hood.

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Despite the high fill count, the Helium is surprisingly slim and perhaps the most flattering jacket on this guide; I loved the way it fit when unzipped. The elastic on the cuffs closed perfectly around my wrists without being too tight and the sleeves weren’t bulky either. Likewise, it packs away well into your suitcase or backpack. Sporting a sleek design, I got the most compliments from wearing this coat than any other here. I also loved the slightly longer cut, which won’t get in your way when sitting down but creates extra coverage at the waist if it’s windy out. Just as promised, the shoulders and hood bead moisture really easily and the fabric feels much denser in these areas, even though the jacket as a whole isn’t waterproof; I wouldn’t recommend keeping valuable gear inside the pockets if you’re stuck in the rain.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

My biggest complaint, as with many of the coats on this list, is that the zippered pockets on the outside don’t zip back up very easily. I had to struggle to get the two on the waist closed. Unzipping them, however, was quick and could be done with one hand. I didn’t think the hood would have much coverage because I hardly noticed it on my back –– it doesn’t lump against your shoulder blades when you’re sitting down. However, it comfortably provides meaningful forehead coverage and stays on without needing to be zipped up. On the other hand, the hood can’t be put on if the jacket is already zipped up. Although the jacket is trim when unzipped, it may bulge in the front when zipped up.

Verdict: Of all the down jackets we tested, the Helium Down Jacket from Outdoor Research was the most well-rounded. It’s not too heavy, it’s slimming and stylish, it has high fill power without being bulky, it has some added protection against moisture, and it has solid pocket selection. If you like the sleeker-looking design and are wanting to spend $300 on a down jacket, this is the one to get.

Weight: 15.4oz
Shell: 30D Ripstop Pertex Quantum Nylon
Fill Type: Goose Down
Fill Power: 800
DWR?: Yes
Hood?: Yes

Patagonia Down Sweater

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Pros
  • Really accessible slim fit when zipped/unzipped
  • Lightweight and warm
  • Stylish
  • Responsibly sourced down
Cons
  • Sheds
  • Construction might not be as good as other similar-priced coats

Best Low-Key Puffer: To be honest, many of us avoid wearing down jackets because they can draw a little too much attention to themselves due to their size. However, patagonia’s Down Sweater solves the problem with a streamlined silhouette that looks less like, “I’m going skiing,” and more casual. Incredibly lightweight at 13oz, the jacket is a great travel option for its slimness and yet still manages to pack in 800-fill power down, which is responsibly sourced. The shell is also sustainably made, with construction coming from 100% post-consumer recycled nylon ripstop from fishing nets. There are several options from outdoor clothing giant patagonia that could’ve made the cut here, but this Down Sweater just seems to have it all.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

A couple of jackets on this guide look slimming when unzipped, but this patagonia Down Sweater has the best fit when zipped all the way up. Distributing its down fill well, the jacket doesn’t wear itself wide in either direction and isn’t bulky on the torso or arms. However, I will say that when I bent my arms at the elbow, the puffer tightened around my upper arm and it was slightly uncomfortable at first, even though I got used to it after a while. There are two zippered pockets on the waist, which were expectedly difficult to open and close. Meanwhile, I loved the interior pockets here. There’s a very large zippered compartment built into the interior zipper seam that’s almost hidden. The two interior waist pockets are rather deep, with the left side extending upwards into the shoulder area. I can’t think of something specific I would use this for, but perhaps if you have a footlong sandwich you’re trying to keep warm, this is the spot you could keep it.

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The high collar design doesn’t really fold down like it does on some other jackets, but I preferred that –– there’s no equivocality of what it’s for. Resting in a halfway position, it becomes an integrated part of the silhouette when unzipped, but protects your chin and neck when zipped. There is one slight caveat to this coat, however: I noticed some shedding. Oftentimes jackets that use actual animal down will shed small feathers from their seams. And while it didn’t happen a lot here, it’s something that’s worth noting. Likewise, the zippers on the pockets felt a bit cheaper than some of the others we tested and the nylon shell, while soft and supple, felt a bit cheaper despite the price tag.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a hoodless option that won’t necessarily look like you’re wearing a giant puffy jacket, the patagonia Down Sweater can’t be beat. It’s incredibly lightweight and slimming, with just some minor restriction on the upper arms. Intriguing pocket design only adds to the allure of this stylish coat, even if its construction methods may come into question at times.

Weight: 13oz
Shell: Recycled Nylon Ripstop from Fishing Nets
Fill Type: 100% Responsible Down Standard
Fill Power: 800
DWR?: Yes
Hood?: No

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody

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Pros
  • Unique aesthetic
  • Really soft and comfortable
  • Stretchy shell doesn’t restrict your motion
  • Slimming
Cons
  • Not very water resistant
  • Two-way zipper is finicky

Most Attractive: With so many down jacket options out there, it can be hard for some of them to stand out. However, Mountain Hardwear always manages to find ways to separate their outdoor gear from the pack, and this StretchDown Hoody is the perfect example. Sporting a unique stitching pattern and 700-fill power goose down that combines goose feathers, the jacket adds a solid dose of elastane (13%) to the nylon shell blend for a noticeable stretch. Weighing just 18oz, the hoodie comes in a handful of stylish colorways and features a few pockets for stashing gear. While it doesn’t claim to have any water-repellant finishing, the jacket shell is waterproof so you can take this out in the rain if you so choose –– not an attribute on a lot of goose down jackets.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

Deceptively stitched, the StretchDown is unbelievably comfortable. To go along with the soft exterior, the interior lining is made with the same material. It’s not too bulky and is quite slimming when zipped up, although when unzipped its unique stitching gave it a look that was more “bunchy” than I would’ve wanted. While the hood was a little bulky, it provided excellent coverage, and the collar drawstrings were out of the way and discreet. I liked the length of the sleeves and the fact that they weren’t too loose or tight. However, the elastic band on the inside of the cuffs were irritating my wrists and palms. It’s also important to note that this jacket doesn’t have any water-repellant finish on the outside and, as such, won’t stand up to wet weather. It beaded smaller drops of water but after a while, moisture was accumulating on the shell.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

The exterior pocket construction is one of the best among the jackets we tested. Not only do the zippers operate the smoothest but the right hand pocket features a key leash carabiner. There’s also a zippered chest pocket that’s not too big, not too small. The interior pocket is very deep, although there’s just one on of them. Not that I need a second interior pocket, but it’s just odd that they couldn’t add another one in there. Another thing about this coat that I had mixed reviews about is the two-way zipper. In theory, these are great for fine-tuning your coverage, especially in higher winds. However, the lower zipper on the StretchDown was a bit finicky and I couldn’t get it to move at will. On the other hand, I loved the longer length of the jacket, which gives you some extra coverage in windy conditions.

Verdict: Soft both outside and inside, the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hoody has an awesome fit and was one of the most comfortable jackets we tried on. Benefiting from its stretchy fabric, the coat also sports a unique design that’s stylish and slimming while giving you solid range of motion. Despite some minor quibbles, the StretchDown Hoody is a great choice for both form and function.

Weight: 18oz
Shell: 87% nylon, 13% elastane
Fill Type: RDS-certified down (85% goose down, 15% goose feather)
Fill Power: 700
DWR?: No
Hood?: Yes

Rab Neutrino Pro

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Pros
  • Incredibly warm
  • All the zippers function really easily
  • Shell feels high quality
  • Two-way zipper
  • Hood can be tucked away
Cons
  • Puffy style won’t be for everyone
  • Waist cinch requires two hands
  • Hood is large

Best Heavy Down Jacket: If you want to tap into everything down jackets have to offer, look no further than the Rab Neutrino Pro, a heavy-weight, alpine-grade coat built with a Pertex Quantum Pro shell and 800-fill goose down that’s given a water-repellent finish. To help protect your gear, there are optimally-place pockets gifted with YKK zippers for extra durability and grip when wearing gloves in icy climates. At 20.6oz, the jacket still sheds weight where it can while still remaining one of the warmest options available and a favorite of mountaineers for the last two decades.

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If you’re into the style and function of traditional “puffer” down jackets, the Rab Neutrino Pro is your best bet. Not only is it very puffy but it’s stylish and incredibly warm, albeit slightly heavier than most of its counterparts. Just also keep in mind that this means this coat will be very bulky and range of motion won’t be ideal. Likewise, if you’re a bit wider in the torso, it won’t necessarily be flattering on your physique. Luckily, the jacket has a lot going for it elsewhere and can pack down surprisingly well if needed. I was initially thrown off by the right-side zipper but then quickly fell in love with how easy it was to operate, especially considering its two-way function (opposed to the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown, which was a pain). Speaking of zippers, the hand pockets were the easiest to zip and unzip of the jackets we tested. And there’s also a hidden zippered pocket on the inside of the breast, which is quite spacious as well. Feeling higher quality than some others we tested, the shell also gets the DWR treatment, which can be great for the rainy season.

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As for the drawbacks, there’s a cinchable waist cord, which sounds great in theory to eliminate drafts of air coming in. However, the cinch requires both hands to function properly, which was annoying. On the other hand, to combat the bulk on the sleeves there is a Velcro strap around the wrists to keep your arms comfortable. This is a nice touch, but perhaps a cinchable drawstring would be easier to use. Despite the discreet hood drawstring, the hood itself is the one part of this jacket that gets negatively affected by its bulk (although, you can Velcro it down with a built-in strap). While it could be more intrusive on your upper back when sitting down, the hood still sits a bit too high on your head when you’re wearing it; I looked like a Conehead with it on.

Verdict: Incredibly warm and bulky, the Rab Neutrino Pro will appeal to fans of traditional puffy down jackets. Despite the size, you know what to expect for the most part. There are some small issues with the waist drawstring and the hood, but overall this is a fantastic puffer for extra-cold temperatures. Just make sure you don’t leave any breakables around your arm space.

Weight: 20.6oz
Shell: Pertex Quantum Pro
Fill Type: European goose down with Nikwax fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic finish
Fill Power: 800
DWR?: Yes
Hood?: Yes

Fjällräven Singi Down Jacket M

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Pros
  • Unbelievably warm
  • Meticulously designed
  • Reinforced in key areas
  • Lots of pockets
  • Spans from your nose to your mid-thigh when fully zipped
Cons
  • Expensive but made to be long-lasting
  • Heavy

Best for Sub-Zero Temps: Just because it’s freezing outside doesn’t mean you can’t partake in activities that require you to move. Fjällräven recently updated its Singi Down Jacket parka, which balances extreme protection against the cold and comfortable maneuverability. Now made using sustainable materials such as ethically-produced 600-fill down and G-1000 Eco for the shell, with G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco reinforcement on the shoulders and rear, this super-heavy, long-cut jacket sports a whopping nine pockets and detachable synthetic fur on the hood.

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I live in Southern California and it was cold (for Southern California) on the days I tested this jacket. But nevertheless, people looked at me like I didn’t know where I was; as though I was headed to Alaska but got lost. Needless to say, the Singi will be incredibly overkill for many people in the United States, but if you live in parts of the country that actually freeze, this piece from Fjällräven will be incredibly useful. The Singi Down Jacket isn’t just warm but feels like a fortress encompassing the upper half of your body. Even in its open position (unzipped), it naturally closes around your mid-section. Zipped up, this stretched from the middle of my nose to nearly halfway down my thigh, with seven snap buttons over the two-way zipper for extra protection (like you’d need it at that point). The drawstring on the hood was a bit stiff and probably unnecessary since only my eyeballs were visible when zipped all the way up anyway.

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We’d me remiss to not mention the effect of the weight of the coat, which is nearly 4lbs! This definitely helps with its warmth, and is a result of the incredible durability of its polyester-cotton shell blend. However, it will definitely be felt on your body if you’re trekking long distances, so keep that in mind. Admittedly, the length and sheer bulk of the jacket made it really difficult to engage the two-way zipper down below my waist, let alone see what I was doing. On the other hand, there’s a really cleverly-designed interior cinch that hugs your waist to keep out any drafts. I also loved the pocket count here: four exterior snap-button pouches, two hidden exterior zippered pockets (with mesh pouches), two interior waist pouches, and a hidden zippered breast pocket on the inside.

Verdict: The warmest jacket we tested, the Fjällräven Singi Down Jacket will be overkill in many locales but your best friend if you live in freezing climates. However, the coat doesn’t just rest on its sheer mass alone. While the hefty shell is durable and heavy, the overall design is meticulous enough to deserve mention in its own right, from its meticulous pocket layout to the way it keeps out literally any wind. It might be pricey, but you’ll likely have this jacket for ages.

Weight: 61.7oz
Shell: G-1000 Eco (65% polyester, 35% cotton)
Fill Type: 80% goose down and 20% feather
Fill Power: 600
DWR?: No
Hood?: Yes

Vollebak Indestructible Puffer

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Pros
  • Literally indestructible
  • Stylish
  • Temperature rated to -40ºF
  • Made from recycled materials
  • Lots of body coverage
Cons
  • Very expensive
  • Heavy
  • Rigidity gets in the way of mobility at times

Best High-End Down Jacket: Claiming to have an outer layer that’s 15x stronger than steel, pound for pound, Vollebak aims to put an end to the down jacket’s frail reputation with its Indestructible Puffer, using the strongest fiber ever made — Dyneema — while also constructed to withstand temperatures as low as -40°F, known to become stronger as the air gets colder. It sounds hyperbolic but the UK outfit is renowned for its cutting-edge tech and innovations, and this is no different. Foregoing the traditional goose down, this coat is insulated with recycled plastic bottles, which actually trap air better than most other synthetic fills. Naturally, the Indestructible Puffer is the heaviest option in this guide at 70.5oz and has recently been updated with a liner that’s waterproof to over 10,000mm.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

Yet another alpine-grade jacket, but unlike the Fjällräven Singi above, this Vollebak Indestructible Jacket doesn’t necessarily look as silly when worn in non-alpine climates. Incredibly warm nevertheless, the coat sports a right-oriented two-way zipper that feels the most rugged of any we tested. Despite its durability, it operates just fine. The mid-section is supplemented with six snap buttons just in case you want extra protection. While the hood comes without a drawstring, you don’t really need one; its shape fits perfectly around your head for maximum coverage. Likewise, the front zipper comes all the way up to my nose. In terms of the pockets, we have two zippered hand pockets on the outside, which were a bit tricky to zip back up one-handed. Meanwhile, there’s a hidden breast pocket on the outside that’s useful as well. As for the interior zippered pocket, the fabric patching it shut felt a bit flimsy compared to the extreme toughness elsewhere on the jacket.

Photo: HICONSUMPTION

One thing that doesn’t get talked about as much due to Vollebak’s highly-innovative construction techniques is how stylish the brand’s silhouettes are. This coat is no different, with a deceptively minimalist appearance that swaps out traditional stitching for a more understated design. Like the Fjällräven, arguably the biggest downside of the Indestructible Jacket is its weight. Adding several pounds of heft to your average down jacket, it may not be your go-to option for winter hikes, but if you live in certain areas of the country, it’ll probably be worth it. Another thing I noticed here was the rigidity of the jacket, which restricts motion a lot. When I sat down wearing the jacket, it physically lifted up on my body –– and it wasn’t even zipped up. This could be a slight issue in higher winds where its stiffness can potentially allow drafts inside your coat.

Verdict: $1,400 is a lot to pay for anything, let alone a jacket, but with Vollebak, you know you’re getting top-shelf durability and meticulous construction. Truly warm, the Indestructible Jacket is seriously tough, even to a fault. While its rigidity gets in the way of mobility at times, this is a rugged, if not heavy, down jacket with a lot to offer in both style and function.

Weight: 70.5oz
Shell: Dyneema with Waterproof Lining
Fill Type: Recycled Plastic
Fill Power: 430+
DWR?: No
Hood?: Yes

Down Jackets Comparison Chart

Down Jacket Weight Shell Fill Type Fill Power DWR? Hood?
REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 10.9oz Recycled nylon taffeta Animal Down 650 Yes No
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie 15.4oz 30D Ripstop Pertex Quantum Nylon Goose Down 800 Yes Yes
Patagonia Down Sweater 13oz Recycled Nylon Ripstop from Fishing Nets 100% Responsible Down Standard 800 Yes No
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody 18oz 87% nylon, 13% elastane RDS-certified down (85% goose down, 15% goose feather) 700 No Yes
Rab Neutrino Pro 20.6oz Pertex Quantum Pro European goose down with Nikwax fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic finish 800 Yes Yes
Fjällräven Singi Down Jacket M 61.7oz G-1000 Eco (65% polyester, 35% cotton) 80% goose down and 20% feather 600 No Yes
Vollebak Indestructible Puffer 70.5oz Dyneema with Waterproof Lining Recycled Plastic 430+ No Yes

What’s So Special About Down?

Traditionally, down is defined as the undercoat of waterfowl — typically harvested from geese — that’s soft, fluffy, and superb as a natural insulator. And the most interesting part about it is twofold.

First, down is one of the world’s best natural insulators, but it actually works via an extremely simple concept. You see, this soft, fluffy under-plumage doesn’t actually keep warm itself. Rather, its fluffiness and body serve to trap pockets of air, which are subsequently warmed by the heat of the waterfowl’s body (i.e., Ducks and geese actually keep their own bodies warm by retaining their own expelled heat in an extremely efficient manner). When paired with a man-made jacket, the down performs in much the same manner.

Second, down fill wasn’t actually used in outerwear until 1922, at which point Australian chemist George Finch crafted a down-filled jacket (made from hot air balloon fabric) for an expedition up to the peak of Mt. Everest. And then in the ‘30s, Eddie Bauer’s near-death experience from hypothermia convinced him to develop and sell the first down jacket as we know it today. Before Finch and Bauer, humanity had actually been using feathers and down for centuries — typically in things like blankets and pillows — but nobody had yet thought to apply its benefits to performance-focused apparel en masse. However, the shift to outerwear was both speedy and revolutionary in its effectiveness.

Today, down is still one of the best insulators we have access to, even in light of the numerous technologies and materials that have been invented in since. In fact, while the market is awash with down replacements (like the varying synthetic varieties), they all still operate on the same basic principle as natural down.

Down Varieties

While goose and duck down are arguably still the most prevalent fill materials, more and more alternatives have cropped up, especially in recent years. Here are the main varieties you can expect to find in your jackets:

Goose: The granddaddy of human-use down is that of the goose variety. After all, geese are some of the most hearty survivors that have ever taken flight. While goose down is still the standard for warmth retention in every down-focused industry, there are some downsides (no pun intended) to choosing this particular variety of insulation.

First of all, avoiding cruelty is impossible, as harvesting down requires the animal to be killed. Even in the best of conditions, this can be considered wildly inhumane and is certainly not sustainable, as a tremendous amount of resources are required to raise and slaughter geese and the waste created is abundant.

Secondly, goose down tends to be much more expensive than most of its synthetic alternatives, which means the gear it’s put into inherently gets a price hike as a result. If these are not concerns of yours, however, goose down might be your preferred jacket insulation.

Synthetic: For about as long as humans have known about goose down, we’ve been trying to find and/or create suitable synthetic alternatives — and with good reason. For starters, synthetic downs that aren’t made from animal byproducts are inherently more cruelty-free. These fills also tend to be less expensive, as they require less effort and capital to produce when compared to harvesting animal byproducts. And then there are other plusses. For instance, some synthetic downs can still retain heat even when they’re sopping wet, which can be a huge benefit in a survival situation.

The downside, however, is that synthetic down doesn’t always perform as well as genuine goose down, meaning it won’t necessarily keep you as warm — though that gap has largely shrunk at this point, especially with higher-end synthetics. Furthermore, while synthetics can almost always be considered more sustainable than natural goose down, they have their own set of hurdles to overcome to be considered truly sustainable.

Hybrid: As you might imagine, hybrid down combines the best of both worlds. It’s as effective as natural goose down but it has the added benefits afforded by synthetics — like hydrophobia, which repels water and allows the down to stay warm even when wet. It’s not entirely cruelty-free and sustainable, but it’s certainly more of both when compared to pure goose down. Finally, hybrid down is often less expensive than pure goose down, although it’s still not quite as affordable as pure synthetic down can be.

Recycled/Responsibly-Sourced: One of the ways that many outerwear brands are skirting the animal cruelty and sustainability issues is by only utilizing down that’s harvested as a byproduct of the meat industry — the logic being that the geese are going to die anyhow and the down would otherwise be wasted. This is a noble endeavor, but not always entirely sound, as partnering with the meat industry still often supports unsustainable practices that are damaging the natural world, but it’s better than nothing. On the other hand, there are some brands that use recycled down. The idea is simple: There is plenty of down in circulation and, rather than killing more geese to make new down, they can get their hands on existing down and repurpose it into new garments without negatively impacting the natural world.

Honorable Mentions

There’s no denying how cool Cotopaxi’s design ethos is, especially with their Fuego Hooded Down Jacket. Their use of color is second to none and they’re very popular. If looks is your number-one criteria, check this one out.

Once you get into the $400+ range, the tolerance for error is much smaller. Mission Workshop’s D21 is incredibly stylish and has some nice specs, but we went with some more proven outdoor brands instead.

Eddie Bauer invented the original down jacket after nearly freezing to death, so the brand’s MicroTherm 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket certainly deserves a mention here.

If you’re a fan of Mountain Hardwear and want to explore more beyond the StretchDown we reviewed above, check out their Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody, which is a bit pricier but incredibly lightweight at just 8oz and is insulated with an impressive 800-fill power down.

When it comes to the outdoors, you shouldn’t sleep on Arc’Teryx. If you love the brand, consider the Cerium Jacket, which is a popular choice among fans, weighing in at a measly 10.6oz despite the 850-fill-power.

The North Face is one of the most ubiquitous outdoor gear brands around, and for good reason. We didn’t love the Summit Series Breithorn Hoodie as much as some of the other down jackets due to its inconsistent and awkward fit but still felt it was worth a mention.

Montbell’s Alpine Light solid price point, durability, and pocket count helped earn it serious consideration. However, we couldn’t get our hands on a unit for testing.

If you’re looking for a cool, unique down jacket from a lesser-known brand, check out Norrøna’s falketind Down750 Hood. Blending form and function better than most others you’ll find, the coat has unique stitch patterning with body-mapped down, hybrid insulation, and incredible durability with reinforced nylon. We simply couldn’t procure a unit for testing in time.

Tested: The Best Hiking Boots

All Photography: HICONSUMPTION

After you find your perfect down jacket, head over to our guide to the best hiking boots to equip you for your next adventure.